Page 209 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

She gave him an incredulous look, throwing her hands in the air. “How many times do I have to tell you that you’re wrong about Piper?” Her eyes misted. “She loved Jordan, and he loved her.”

He gave her a measured look. “How much do you trust Piper?”

“Implicitly.” Her green eyes flashed, chin tilting up in defiance, ready to take him on. She was stunningly beautiful and so dang stubborn.

He drummed his fingers on the table, thinking aloud. “So, you think we should tell Piper about the key?”

She flicked her wrist. “Absolutely. If there’s even the slightest chance that Piper knows what it could go to, then it would save us time.”

“True,” he conceded.

She sat there glaring like he was public enemy number one. “From the way you’re going after Piper, I’m beginning to think you have a chip on your shoulder about women.”

He laughed in surprise. “Nope. Not all women.” He gave her an appreciative look, his gaze lingering on her long enough to evoke a deep flush over her cheeks. “Just one headstrong beauty with corkscrew curls and a sharp tongue that could lacerate metal.”

She fast-blinked a couple of times, then let out a nervous laugh. “All right, Bama boy. You’re putting on the charm a little thick,” she blustered, touching her hair.

He couldn’t stop the grin that stole over his lips. “Nope. Even I’m not that charming.” He winked. “Just telling the truth.”

Her face blared like a beacon, her mouth moving jerkily like she was at a loss for words.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” he mused.

“What does that mean?” she demanded.

“You don’t have to fight me at every turn.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re such a moron,” she muttered.

“Takes one to know one,” he taunted. The fight in her was thrilling.

She blew out a long, frustrated breath, but a hint of a smile touched her eyes. Like him, she was invigorated by the verbal sparring.

He put on his best fearful expression. “You know, sometimes you can be a little scary.”

She pulled a face. “Huh?”

He motioned at her with his hand. “Not just you, but all women.”

“Oh, no. Here we go.” She rolled her eyes as she pushed back her chair and stood. She reached for her empty plate and glass, taking them to the sink.

He also stood, grabbing his plate. As tempting as it was to launch into his explanation right off the bat, it was better to remain quiet, whet her appetite to capture her attention.

She sighed, turning to him. “Okay, let’s hear it.” She rinsed off her plate and fork and placed them in the dishwater. Next, she took his plate from his hand. Their skin brushed, causing a tingle to rush through him. He could tell from her startled expression that she felt it too. Didn’t Addie get it? What they hadtogether came along only once in a lifetime, to those who were lucky. The time he’d spent with Addie was the best of his life, like walking in the sun 24/7. Without her, life was drab and gloomy.

He pointed at the cookie sheet. “Do you have something to put the biscuits in?”

“Yes, in the upper cabinet, to the left of the fridge. Over there.”

He opened the cupboard and reached for a container and lid. A smile played on his lips. “I still can’t believe you made me biscuits and gravy.” He gave her a sideways look. “No Southern boy living and breathing can resist a woman who knows how to cook.” His voice was light, but he could tell from the way she stiffened that she caught the serious undertone of his statement.

“So?” she said offhandedly. “Can Felicity cook?”

Wow. This Felicity thing had taken a life of its own. Did he dare tell Addie that the whole thing was a ruse? Nah, it was kind of fun seeing Addie squirm a little. “Oh, yeah. She’s an amazing cook.”

A dark thundercloud puffed over her face. “How fortunate for you,” she said tartly. Long pause. “You never did finish your story, about why women scare you.”

“Oh, yeah.” Addie was getting bent-out-of-shape about Felicity. Did that mean she still cared about him? The notion sent his heart pumping a little faster.Down, boy, he cautioned himself. Even if Addie did care, there was still the enormous obstacle of his profession looming over them. Neither of them knew how to get past that. He leaned against the counter, folding his arms. “Okay, it all started with Adam and Eve.”

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